Heroes Hall, Malacañan Palace
August 22, 2017

“I would like to congratulate you for emerging as the winning team during the recently concluded Kadayawan Dragon Boat Festival,” said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the members of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Dragon Boat Team and their families in a dinner at the Malacañan Palace.

The President expressed his gratitude to the PAF Dragon Boat Team “for lifting the morale of the Philippine Air Force and the rest of our nation and men and women in the military service.”

The President urged those present to continue showing teamwork against all challenges, “We need to work closely together now, especially as we continue to surmount the waves and paddle our way towards eliminating the problems in our country, the evils of illegal drugs, corruption and terrorism.”

President Duterte continued by discussing the importance of friendly competitions in promoting good sportsmanship and how such events bring happiness to everyone.

On the administration’s efforts against corruption, President Duterte said he would appoint Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Isidro Lapeña as the new Bureau of Customs (BOC) commissioner, replacing Nicanor Faeldon, and to have Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) Chief Superintendent General Aaron Aquino as the new PDEA Director General.

The President spoke of how many government officials have been removed from service due to corruption or unsatisfactory performance of duties without much fanfare to protect their families.

Resolute and determined to end the drug problem, President Duterte reiterated the evils of illegal drugs and its negative effects against families of drug dependents and their victims.

A photo opportunity with the members and the families of the PAF Dragon Boat Team took place at the end of the dinner celebration.

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